Hanging shoe compartments with movable shelves

ABSTRACT

A hanging organizer has opposing first and second flexible sides and a middle panel joining rectangular shelves of width W. The middle panel forms first and second enclosures, each on a different side of the middle panel. Each enclosure has a repositionable shelf with first and second rectangular plates with first and second edges and joined at a flexible juncture parallel to those edges. The first edge engages the first panel and the second edge engages the second panel a distance W below the first edge. The repositionable shelves have a first position where the first plate abuts the first panel with the second plate horizontal, and has a second position where the first plate is horizontal and the second plate abuts the second panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/771,221 filed Mar. 1, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Various hanging compartments are known that have two vertical fabric sides with horizontal fabric shelves at periodic locations. If the sides are flat the compartments are rectangular in shape. If the sides are curved the compartments are curved to match. But in all cases the vertical size of the compartments are determined by the shelf or bottom of the compartment which has opposing ends sewn to or otherwise engaging opposing vertical sides to form a horizontal shelf or bottom. Because the opposing sides of the shelf are sewn to the vertical side supports, the vertical height of the compartments is limited. This limit on vertical height poses problems, as for example when the compartments are used to hold shoes. Hanging shoe holders have a series of vertically aligned compartments with square openings in the front and a long width or depth and a closed back. The compartments are sized to hold a pair of shoes. But if the shoes have long high heels or if boots are to be stored, the compartments are too small to hold two shoes. The compartments could be made larger, with a rectangular opening, by sewing the bottom panel further from the shelf above it to form a rectangular opening. But then space is wasted if the user wants to store regular sized shoes instead of boots or very high heels. There is thus a need for a shoe hanger and for a hanging storage device in general, that has variable sized compartments to hold a variety of things.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Suspended housings having compartments of fixed vertical length are sub-divided by repositionable shelves having first and second parts and having two positions. In the first position the first shelf part is vertical and abutting a first side panel of the housing while the second part forms a horizontal shelf. In the second position the first part forms a horizontal top and the second part is vertical and abutting a second opposing side panel of the housing, with the horizontal top preferably abutting a bottom side of the next higher compartment or the top panel of the housing. The organizer has a middle panel extending along a longitudinal axis of the organizer forming a separate enclosure on each side of the middle panel. A series of these repositionable panels are fastened into each separate enclosure, preferably so the horizontal plates are aligned in the second position.

This basic hanging organizer may be provided with various sizes and numbers of pockets and is typically hung from a closet door. But it may also be suspended over a door so as to hang from the back of a door. Moreover, two aligned rows of compartments may be formed using a common back wall, with each compartment having an opening on an opposing side of the hanging organizer. This flat, multi compartment design allows access from both sides and is preferably suspended from the top of the door and connected to the bottom of the door to keep the organizer close to the door surface as the door swings open and closed.

In more detail, a series of hanging or suspended compartments are provided and since these compartments are suspended the relative terms vertical, horizontal, up and down will be used to describe these devices relative to the position they typically assume when hanging downward from a closet bar, with a user looking at the front, open side of the suspended compartments.

-   -   a collapsible housing having first and second opposing side         panels joined by middle panel extending along the longitudinal         axis to form a first and second enclosure each on an opposing         side of the middle panel having a generally rectangular         cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the panels         being made of a flexible material and suspended from a top         panel, the first and second panels being spaced apart a distance         of about W;     -   each first and second enclosure having at least two permanent         shelves with each shelf extending generally horizontally between         the first and second panels, the at least two permanent shelves         each having a width of about W;

Thus, a flexible, suspended housing is formed having first and second (left and right) side panels that are parallel, and a middle panel forming a first enclosure on one side of the middle panel and a second enclosure on the opposing side of the middle panel. The side panels and middle panel depend from a top panel to which is fastened a hanging mechanism such as a hook, loop, or a pair of fastening members sized to encircle a closet bar, such as fabric straps with hook-and-loop fasteners on the mating strap ends. The top panel is preferably rectangular in shape is made of a stiff material strong enough to support the weight placed in the compartments that are suspended from the top panel. The side and the middle panels are joined together to form a rectangular enclosure on opposing sides of the middle panel, which enclosure is open along one side, each opening facing an opposing direction, with the middle panel forming the back of each enclosure. The side and middle panels may be made of flexible material, such as fabric, polymers, canvas, etc., sewn, glued, riveted or otherwise fastened or engaged together along the corners.

In each of the first and second enclosures, at periodic locations along the length of the side panels, a horizontal shelf is fastened to horizontally opposing locations on the side panels in order to form one or more fixed shelves. The side panels are located a predetermined distance W apart to define a constant width of the housing. The panels have a depth D corresponding to the width of the side panels. The fixed floors are preferably located a height H from the top panel or one of the shelves, preferably corresponding to multiples of two times the width to form a first set of elongated compartments having a height twice the width of the compartment, with the depth of the compartments determined by the width of the side panels. A repositionable shelf is fastened in each of these first compartments. The repositionable shelf is formed of two (first and second) stiff, rectangular plates, preferably of plastic, having a width of about W and sewn in a pouch that may slightly compress or bow the plate so that it snaps into a straight, flat position. Each plate has opposing first and second edges. A first edge of the first plate is connected to the first side panel at the juncture with the top panel, preferably by sewing the pouches containing the panel to the first side panel. The first plate hangs downward adjacent the first side panel. The second edge of the first plate is fastened to the first edge of the second plate, preferably by sewing the abutting edges of the pouches containing the plates. The second edge of the second plate is fastened to the second side panel a distance W below the top panel, to form a horizontal shelf. This is the first, shelf position of the first and second panels. In this shelf position the juncture of the first and second plates is along the first side panel and the enclosure of the first plate helps carry weight on the shelf to the first side panel. The side panels and the middle panel transfer the weight to the top.

The juncture of the first and second plates may be moved to the second side panel by moving the juncture diagonally toward the juncture of the top panel and the second side panel. In this second position the first plate is adjacent to and preferably abutting the top panel while the second plate is alongside and preferably abutting the second side panel. There is thus provided a repositionable shelf having a first shelf position, and having a second storage position. The first plate is fastened to the first panel at distances H determined by Y×W, where Y is from the series of even numbers beginning at zero, namely 0, 2, 4, etc. and W is the width of the space between side panels. The second plate is fastened to the second panel at distances , H determined by Z×W, where Z is from the series of odd numbers beginning at 1, namely 1, 3, 5 and W is the width of the space between side panels. These formulas result in square openings in the suspended housing. The permanent shelves are sewn to the first and second panels at distances H determined by Y×W, described above.

If a permanent shelf is fastened to opposing side panels to locate the second plate in the first shelf position at a repeating distance of 2 W from the top shelf, then a repositionable shelf having first and second plates may be fastened between each permanent shelf. With the repositionable shelves each in the first shelf position, a series of equally sized compartments with square openings are provided. As desired, one or more of the repositionable shelves can be moved to the second position to provide compartments twice as high as they are wide. These repositionable shelves are formed in the first and second enclosures, preferably so the repositionable shelves in each enclosure are aligned in both the first and second positions.

With the plates in the second position, the first plate supports the bottom of the adjacent and preferably abutting shelf. If the weight to be placed on the shelves is not too heavy, the first plate in the second position can be used as a shelf itself, providing further flexibility in the shape and number of compartments. This is not preferred as a permanent shelf is preferred to be used above the first plate in the second position. But if the second position is to be used with only the first plate acting as a shelf, it is preferably to releasably fasten the second plate to the second side panel of the housing, as for example, by using snaps, hooks or hook and loop fasteners between the inside of the second panel and the abutting side of the pouch containing the second plate.

A hanging organizer has opposing first and second flexible sides and back panel joining rectangular shelves of width W. A repositionable shelf has first and second rectangular plates with first and second edges and joined at a flexible juncture parallel to those edges. The first edge engages the first panel and the second edge engages the second panel a distance W below the first edge. The repositionable shelf has a first position where the first plate abuts the first panel with the second plate horizontal, and has a second position where the first plate is horizontal and the second plate abuts the second panel.

There is thus advantageously provided a hanging collapsible container having a connector to hang the container from a support. The container has a collapsible housing with first and second opposing side panels joined by middle panel to form a first enclosure on a first side of the middle panel and forming a second enclosure on a second, opposing side of the middle panel. Each first and second enclosure may have a generally rectangular cross-section orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the container. As used herein a generally rectangular shape includes trapezoidal shapes and parallelograms where divergence from a rectangle is less than about ⅕ the length of the longest length of the cross-sectional shape. The panels are made of a flexible material and suspended from a stiff top panel. The first and second panels are spaced apart a distance of about W. The container has at least one permanent shelf extending generally horizontally between the first and second panels, with the shelf having a width of about W. The container has a first repositionable shelf having first and second rectangular plates joined at a flexible plate juncture that is parallel to a first edge of the first plate and parallel to a second edge of the second plate. Each plate has a width of about W. The first edge engages the first panel and the second edge engages the second panel a distance below the first edge a distance sufficient so the first repositionable shelf has a first position in which the first plate extends alongside the first panel and the second plate extends generally horizontally. The first repositionable shelf has a second position with the first plate generally horizontal and the second plate extending alongside the second panel. As the repositionable shelf moves between these first and second positions it is not being permanently fastened to the back panel.

In further variations, the container may have the first edge engage the first panel at a location where the first panel joins the top panel, with the second edge engaging the second panel at a distance of about W from the top panel. Preferably, the container has a plurality of permanent shelves each spaced a distance of about 2 W from the top or the adjacent permanent shelf, with the first repositionable shelf having its first edge engaging the first panel at a location where the first panel joins the top panel, and with the second edge engages the second panel at a distance of about W from the top panel.

Additionally, a second repositionable shelf may be provided in each of the first and second enclosures. The second repositionable shelf may have second and third rectangular plates joined at a second flexible plate juncture that is parallel to a first edge of the second plate and parallel to a second edge of the third plate. Each second and third plate may have a width of about W. The second edge of the third plate engages the first panel and the second edge of the fourth plate engages the second panel a distance below the first edge a distance sufficient so the second repositionable shelf has a first position in which the second plate extends alongside the first panel and the third plate extends generally horizontally. The second repositionable shelf has a second position with the second plate generally horizontal and the third plate extending alongside the second panel.

In further variations, each of the first and second enclosures has a plurality of repositionable shelves each having a first edge fastened to the first panel a distance apart of about 2 W, and each repositionable shelf has a second edge fastened to the second panel a distance apart of about 2 W, but offset below the first edge a distance of about W. Preferably there are four repositionable shelves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, and other features and advantages of the present invention are further described in the following drawings and description in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a right side perspective view of a hanging organizer with repositionable shelves in a first position;

FIG. 2 shows a right side perspective view of the hanging organizer of FIG. 1 with the repositionable shelves in a second position;

FIG. 3 shows a left side perspective view of the hanging organizer of FIG. 1 with the repositionable shelves in various positions

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a repositionable shelf in a second position;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a repositionable shelf in a second position;

FIG. 6 shows a back view of the hanging organizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a side plan view of the hanging organizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a right side perspective view of a hanging organizer having fasteners on the repositionable shelves;

FIG. 9 is a partial view showing compartments with partial barriers; and

FIG. 10 is a segmental view showing a hanger for the organizer of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 11 is sectional view of a the hanging organizer of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration, without a hanger and with the repositionable shelf parts shown in inclined lines;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the hanging organizer of FIG. 1 having aligned compartments with a common back wall and opening onto opposing sides of the organizer, with the perspective view from the opposing direction being a minor image thereof;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the organizer of FIG. 12, with the back plan view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view from the upper right side, showing the top of the hanging organizer of FIG. 14 suspended from a door;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view showing the bottom of the hanging organizer of FIG. 14 held to the bottom of the door;

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view showing the top of the hanging organizer of FIG. 14 with an alternative top hanger assembly;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the hanging organizer and top hanger assembly of FIG. 16, taken from an adjacent side; and

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of a top hanger assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a hanging housing 10 with plural compartment 12 is shown. The relative directions up, down, upwards, downwards, above, below, upper and lower are used herein with respect to the configuration of FIGS. 1-2, in which the housing is suspended vertically, as for example from a closet hanger bar. The hanging housing 10 is suitable for storing shoes in the compartments 12, but other items may be placed in the various compartments.

The housing 10 is preferably collapsible (FIG. 11), having first and second flexible side panels 14, 16 joined by a flexible back panel 18. The housing 10 has a stiff top panel 20 and an opposing bottom-most shelf 24 that may be stiff or flexible. Preferably the shelves 24 are stiff shelves made of plastic sheets, fiberboard, or wood inserts enclosed in fabric or plastic material. A plurality of permanent shelves 24 are interposed between the top 20 and the bottom-most shelf 24. The permanent shelves 24 are preferably permanently fastened to opposing side panels 14, 16 and may be fastened to the back panel 18. Sewing, rivets, adhesives and other fastening mechanisms may be used to fasten permanent shelves 24 to the panels 14, 16, 18. The shelves 24 are usually spaced the same distance apart to form uniformly sized compartments. The top panel could be formed by an open framework from which the panels 14, 16, 18 depend and the use of a top “panel” herein is meant to encompass such open frameworks and other structures that restrain movement in the plane of the top panel and are sufficiently strong to support the intended weight placed on the shelves of the housing, with the resulting forces from the intended weight being transferred through the panels to the top panel.

The housing is hung or suspended from top connector 28 (FIGS. 8, 10). The connector 28 may take the form of a hook or loop configured to engage a closet hanging bar. Advantageously, two strips of flexible material such as fabric have hook and loop fasteners on mating surfaces and releasably connect together to form connector 28. The top panel 20 is strong enough to support the weight of items placed on shelves 24 in compartments 12. The top panel is typically a sheet of plastic, wood, metal or other stiff material enclosed in fabric or other flexible material, with the panels 14, 16, 18 fastened to the enclosing fabric, usually by sewing, rivets or adhesives. The panels 14, 16, 18 and shelves 24 may be made of flexible material such as fabric, canvas, plastic or other strong, flexible materials, and joined by sewing, adhesives, rivets, or other ways to form the compartments 12 in housing 10. Such housings 10 thus far described are known in the art.

One or more compartments 12 may be subdivided by repositionable shelves 30 having first and second plates 32, 34 respectively. The plates 32, 34 are preferably of stiff plastic or thin metal, wood, fiberboard or other stiff material that has can bend slightly. The plates may comprise a single elongated piece of material with a flexure joint between the two plates 32, 34, but preferably the plates are two separate parts joined together at juncture 36. As used here, a reference to two plates is intended to encompass two separate parts joined together at juncture 36 or a single part with a flexible juncture 36. The plates 32, 34 may be each enclosed in a pouch of material 38 such as fabric and sewn, glued or otherwise engaged or fastened together at juncture 36. The pouch of material 38 preferably compresses or bows each separate plate slightly. Each plate is the same size, having a width W corresponding to the spacing between side panels 14, 16, a height H corresponding to the width W, and a depth D corresponding to a width of the side panels 14, 16. The pouch of material may be molded onto the plates 32, 34 or otherwise encase the plates. As used herein, a reference to connecting to the plates or fastening to the plates is meant to include a direct connection to the specified plate 32, 34, or a connection to the pouch 38 enclosing the specified plate 32, 34. The plates 32, 34 are rectangular, with a rectangle including a square as it is merely a rectangle with equal sides.

The pouch 38 enclosing the first plate 32 has a first edge 40 that is fastened to the first side panel 14 at the juncture of the side panel 14 and top panel 20 or the juncture of the side panel 14 and the permanent shelf 24. The pouch 38 enclosing the second plate 34 has a second edge 42 that is fastened to the second side panel 14 at a distance of W below either the juncture of the side panel 14 and the top panel 20 or juncture of the side panel 14 and the permanent shelf 24, whichever corresponds to the connection of the first edge 40. The second edge of the pouch enclosing the first plate 32 and the first edge of the pouch enclosing the second plate 34 are fastened together to form juncture 36. The plates 32, 34 and enclosing pouches 38 are thus joined to the first side panel 14 along edge 40 and joined to the second side panel 16 along edge 42, which edges are parallel. The plates 32, 34 and the enclosing pouches 38 are not fastened to the back panel 18.

The plates 32, 34 have a first shelf position in which the first plate 32 extends along and inside of the first side panel 14 while the second plate 34 extends horizontally between side panels 14, 16, with the juncture 36 of the plates adjacent the first side panel 14. The plates 32, 34 have a second support position in which the first plate 32 is below and adjacent to the top panel 20 or permanent shelf 24 to which the first edge 40 is fastened, while the second plate 34 is adjacent to and extending along the inside of the second side wall 16. In the first position the second plate 34 acts as a horizontal shelf of the container 10, while in the second position the first plate 32 acts as a support for the top 20 or the permanent shelf 24 against which the first plate 32 is placed when in the second position. Advantageously the first plate 32 abuts the top 20 or permanent shelf 24 when in the second position.

The first position provides a sub-compartment between the permanent shelves 24 or between the top 20 and the permanent shelf 24. The second position provides an elongated compartment and additional support for the top or the permanent shelf 24. If the permanent shelves 24 are spaced a distance 2 W from the top 20, then the repositionable shelves 30 may provide shelves in the middle of the space between the permanent shelves 24 when the plates 32, 34 are in the first position so that all compartments are of equal size, having square openings. In this same arrangement the repositionable shelves 30 provide elongated compartments between those shelves 24 when the plates 32, 34 are in the second position. If the permanent shelves 24 are spaced further than 2 W apart the repositionable shelves 30 will still provide sub compartments with a square opening, but when the plates 32, 34 are in the first position the compartment 12 between permanent shelves 24 will have one square and one rectangular opening.

Advantageously, the stiff plates 32, 34 are fastened in their respective pouches 38 so they are resiliently urged against each other, causing them to be resiliently urged toward the first and second positions. When the juncture 36 between plates 32, 34 is moved from the first to the second positions, it causes the sides 14, 16 of the housing to bulge outward since the length of the dimension of the two plates 32, 36 is longer than the diagonal formed between first and second edges 40, 42, respectively. If the plates 32, 34 are slightly bowed within their respective pouches 38, that further helps resiliently urge the plates and repositionable shelves 30 into the first and second and resists moving the plates from those positions.

For ease of manufacture, the first edges 40 are preferably fastened to the first side 14 and the second edges 42 are fastened to the second side 16. Because the first repositionable shelf 30 has the first edge 40 of the first plate 32 is fastened to the top 20, each successive first edge is fastened a distance H from the top 20 determined by the formula H=Y×W, where Y is selected from the series of even numbers beginning at zero, namely 0, 2, 4, etc. and W is the width of the space between side panels 14, 16. The second plate 34 is fastened to the second panel 16 at distances H determined by the formula H=Z×W, where Z is selected from the series of odd numbers beginning at 1, namely 1, 3, 5 etc., and W is the width of the space between side panels. These formulas result in square openings in the suspended housing 10 when the permanent shelves 24 are sewn between the first and second panels 14, 16 at distances H determined by the formula H=Y×W, where H and Y are as described above. Thus, the first edge 40 of first plate 32 is fastened to the first side panel 14 at the same location as the top 20 or permanent side panel is fastened, and the second edge 42 of the second plate 34 is fastened to the second side panel 16 equidistant from the two adjacent permanent shelves 24 or equidistant from the top 20 and first adjacent shelf 24. The repositionable shelves 30 may be fastened to either side panel 12, 14 in the above connections.

Referring to FIG. 8, if the permanent dividers 24 are spaced more than twice the width W apart along the length of the side panels 14, 16, then a repositionable shelf 30 will not produce equally sized sub compartments. It is possible to use the first plate 32 in the second position to act as a shelf, but it will be a weak shelf since if sufficient weight is placed on the shelf formed by first part 32, it may bend enough to pull the juncture 36 away from the side 16 and result in the shelf moving from the second to the first position. A releasable fastener, such as snaps, toggles or preferably hook and loop fasteners may be fastened along mating surfaces of the housing 10 to releasably restrain the plates 32, 34 in the second position. Thus, a strip of hook and loop fasteners 46 a, along either or both sides of the juncture 36 may engage the mating loop or hook fastener 46 b on the inside of the juncture of the permanent shelf 24 (or top 20) with the side panel 16. Preferably the releasable fasteners 46 are located on the inner face of first plate 32 extending alongside 14 in the first position, since objects placed in the resulting compartment do not directly rest on that plate. The corresponding part of the fastener is located on the bottom of the top 20 or bottom of the permanent shelf 24. It is believed preferable to have the fastener 46 along the diagonally opposed corners into which the juncture 36 nests during use.

By using various arrangements of permanent shelves 24 and repositionable shelves 30, various arrangements and configurations of compartments may be provided. The permanent shelves 24 and the shelves formed by repositionable shelves 30 in the first position are generally horizontal and parallel. If desired, the shelves could be slightly inclined to cause items in the compartments formed by the shelves to be urged by gravity to one side or the other, or toward the back, or toward the front. Inclined angles of about 10-15 degrees or less are believed suitable, with inclinations of about 5 degrees or less preferred. The reference to generally horizontal shelves includes such inclined shelves. The openings to the compartments 12 are show as open and having no blockage. But the openings to the compartments 12 (and sub compartments) could be partially blocked by low walled barriers 48 (FIG. 9) to keep contents from sliding out of the compartments, or the entire compartment could be covered with an access slit provided. Typically, the width W is about 4-6 inches, but the size can vary according to the items to be placed on the shelves.

The shelves 24 may be made of flexible materials if desired, and if so they are usually made of the same flexible material as used to make the panels 14, 16, 18. The shelves 24 may be made of stiff material, such as plastic, paperboard, fiberboard, thin metal sheets or other stiff materials. If made of stiff materials the shelves are preferably enclosed in pouches 38 as used for the plates 32, 34, and even used for the top 20 with the pouches configured to permanently engage the side walls 14, 16. Plastic sheets about 1/16-⅛ inch thick are believed suitable for the plates 32, 34 and shelves 24. The number of compartments 12 may vary as desired. Four and eight long compartments 12 with a length of 2 W are believed advantageous.

For shipment, the plates 32, 34, shelves 24 and top 20 are stacked as the flexible sided walls 14, 16 collapse as shown n FIG. 11, with a portion of the side panels 14, 16 folding between the first and second plates 32, 34 which fold toward each other. The walls 14, 16 can carry tension loads, but not compression. Thus, a compact shipping configuration is provided. In use, the container 10 is suspended with the weight of the shelves 24 straightening out the flexible walls 14, 16. Depending on the items to be stored on shelves 24, the number and shape of compartments 12 are varied by repositioning one or more the repositionable shelves 30. As desired, the plates 32, 34 may be folded flat against each other and against the intervening shelves 24 to form a stack of plates and shelves for storage or shipment.

As used herein, rectangular includes a square unless otherwise noted, because a square is a rectangle with four equal sides. As used herein, a width of “about W” includes a variation of up to 10% of the width W. It should be apparent that the juncture between the plates 32, 34 rotates or pivots between the first and second positions. Likewise, the connection between the first plate and the first sidewall rotates or pivots between the first and second positions and the connection between the second plate and the second sidewall rotates or pivots between the first and second positions.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, a further embodiment is shown particularly suitable for use as an over-the-door hanger. This embodiment places two hanging organizers as generally shown in FIG. 1, rotates it 180 degrees and either fastens the back panels 18 together or preferably uses a common back panel 18. Thus, housing 10 a has top and bottom panels 20, 22, respectively that may be a single, elongated panel of stiff material, but that is preferably two separate, stiff panels 20 a, 20 b, 22 a, 22 b, each as described regarding panels 20, 22 above. The housing 10 a may have the same construction, parts, and options as housing 10 described above, with the suffix a added for the left side and suffix b added for the right side of the housing 10 a as those parts are shown in FIGS..

Thus, the housing 10 a has compartments 12 a, 12 b that open in opposing directions and optionally but preferably are aligned. Each compartment 12 a, 12 b have first and second side panels 14 a, 14 b, 16 a, 16 b, respectively, but the first side panels 14 a, 14 b may form a single sheet of material and second side panels 16 a, 16 b may form a single sheet of material. The housing 10 a has a back panel 18 that is preferably a single sheet of material common to both compartments 12 a and 12 b throughout the length of the hanging organizer 10 a. Each compartment 12 has permanent shelves 24 a, 24 b corresponding in construction to shelf 24 described above. Preferably, each compartment 12 a, 12 b also has repositionable shelves 30 a, 30 b, with first and second plates 32 a, 32 b, 34 a, 34 b contained in pouches 38 a, 38 b, respectively and other parts that correspond to shelves 30, plates 32, 34, and pouch 38, etc. To avoid repetition, the detailed description of these parts and the remaining is not repeated.

The resulting repositionable shelves 30 a, 30 b may be moved between folded and unfolded positions to change the number and configuration of compartments 12 a, 12 b. The organizer 10 a is especially useful for storing shoes with the shelves 30 in the first position where the second plate 34 forms a horizontal shelf, and is useful for storing boots with the shelves 30 in the second position. The permanent shelves 24 a, 24 b are preferably aligned and horizontal, placing the shelves 24 a, 24 b in the same plane or parallel planes. The repositionable shelves 30 a, 30 b are fastened to the side panels 16 a, 16 b so that the second plates 34 a, 34 b are parallel to the permanent shelves 24 a, 24 b when in the first position.

The housing 10 a is preferably suspended or hung from a door 50 or other flat support surface by various hanger assemblies, preferably using top and bottom assemblies 52, 54, respectively for a door and using hooks etc. for a wall or other flat support surface. Illustrative assemblies for over-the door hangers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,270,796 and 7,178,769, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The hanger assemblies 52, 54 typically use a door bracket 56 that is U-shaped with opposing legs of the U extending along opposing sides of the door and the bottom of the U extending across the top or bottom edge of the door 50. A single top and bottom assembly 52, 54 may be used, or plural assemblies 52, 54 may be used, including top assemblies 52 a, 52 b on top panels 20 a, 20 b, and bottom assemblies 54 a, 54 b on bottom panels 24 a, 24 b, respectively. The top 20 a, 20 b and bottom 24 a, 24 b of the hanger 10 a may have a mounting connections 58 configured to engage various hanger assemblies 52, 54.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, a top hanger assembly 52 has door bracket 56 hooking over the top edge of a door and having an end from which a rod 60 extends a distance sufficient to engage a top connector 28 taking the form of two hook and loop strips 28 a, 28 b (FIG. 12) extending across the narrower, width dimension of the top panel 20 a, 20 b, perpendicular to side panels 14, 16. The hook and loop strips 28 a, 28 b may be joined to form a tube encircling rod 60. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, a tube or loop of material extending from the top 20, 20 a, 20 b may form the connector 28 with the rod 28 extending through the connector. The rod 60 preferably has an enlarged end to help keep the connector from sliding off the distal end of the rod. In the depicted embodiment there are two top hanger assemblies 52, one centered above each top panel 20 a, 20 b. A single top hanger assembly 52 could be used and connect to the center of the top 20, and if so the top panel 20 is preferably a single panel strong enough to support the weight exerted on the top panel by the side panels 14, 16 from the weight carried by the various compartments 12.

Note that if two top connectors 28 are used and if they are offset from the center of each top panel 20 a, 20 b slightly away from each other, and if the top panels 20 a, 20 b are separate panels hinged at the location of common back panel 18, then the top panels 20 a, 20 b, and shelves 24 a, 24 b may be slightly inclined toward the back panel 18, forming a slight V shape when viewed toward the side of the door 50 on which the hanging organizer 10 is suspended. The repositionable pockets 30 and plates 32, 34 and plate juncture 36 will also be slightly inclined. If the inclination angle is too much then the plates 32, 34 will bind within the compartment 12. But the panels 14, 16, 18 are of a flexible material and will accommodate a slight inclination. The slight inclination of shelves 24 toward the central back panel 18 has the advantage of urging items placed on the shelves 24 (and 34) into the compartments 12 and toward the back panel 18 as gravity will urge the items to slide on the inclined shelves.

Referring to FIG. 15, a bottom hanger assembly 54 has a door bracket 56 extending over the bottom of the door and preferably engaging opposing sides of the door at the bottom thereof. A rod 60 extends from therefrom as in the top hanger assembly 52. A resilient member 62 extends between bottom connector 28 and the rod 60, or directly between the bottom connector 28 and the door bracket 56. The bottom connector 28 is shown as a metal or plastic plate engaging the bottom 24 a, 24 b, and having a hook or circular connector extending from the plate so the resilient member 62 can engage the bottom connector 28 to resiliently urge the organizer 10 against the door 50. A coil spring or bungee cord is believed for resilient member 62.

Referring to FIG. 16-17, the organizer 10 has a connector 28 a, 28 b on tops 20 a, 20 b, respectively. The connector 28 is shown as an elongated tube through which the bottom of a first connector 64 extends. The connector 64 is shown as a triangular frame. A second connector 66 engages each connector 64 and also engages a hook 68 fastened to the back of the door, or engages a hook 66 fastened to or forming a part of a door bracket 56 (FIGS. 14, 18). A flexible cord or a solid wire frame is suitable for use as the second connector. The Figures show two connectors 28 extending perpendicular to the door 50, along a direction between opposing sides 14, 16 but the connectors could be parallel to the length of the top 20, and a single connector 28 could be used and could be hooked directly over the hook 66. Other shapes for the connector 64 may be used and the orientation may extend parallel to the long side of the tops 20 rather than perpendicular to the tops as illustrated. As desired, the openings to the compartments 12 (and sub compartments) could be partially blocked by low walled barriers 48 (FIG. 9) to keep contents from sliding out of the compartments, or the entire compartment could be covered with an access slit provided. All of the variations of the single compartment organizer 10 may be provided with the organizer 10 a having horizontally aligned permanent shelves 24 a, 24 b. Moreover, it is possible, but not desirable to have permanent shelve 24 on one side of the organizer 10 a have permanent shelves 24 a that are not horizontally aligned with the shelf 24 b on the opposing side of the common back wall or common middle wall 18. The middle panel 18 preferably divides the organizer 10 a into compartments of equal horizontal length from the middle panel 18 to the opening to each compartment 12. The middle panel 18 is preferably, but optionally fastened to a plurality of the permanent shelves 24 and preferably permanently fastened to each permanent shelf.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Further, the various features of this invention can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments but is to be defined by the following claims when read in the broadest reasonable manner to preserve the validity of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanging collapsible container having a connector to hang the container from a support, the container extending along a generally vertical, longitudinal axis during use, comprising: a collapsible housing having first and second opposing side panels joined by middle panel extending along the longitudinal axis to form a first and second enclosure each on an opposing side of the middle panel having a generally rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the panels being made of a flexible material and suspended from a top panel, the first and second panels being spaced apart a distance of about W; each first and second enclosure having at least two permanent shelves with each shelf extending generally horizontally between the first and second panels, the at least two permanent shelves each having a width of about W; each first and second enclosure having a first repositionable shelf having first and second rectangular plates joined at a flexible plate juncture that is parallel to a first edge of the first plate and parallel to a second edge of the second plate, each plate having a width of about W, the first edge engaging the first panel and the second edge engaging the second panel a distance below the first edge a distance sufficient so the first repositionable shelf has a first position in which the first plate extends alongside the first panel and the second plate extends generally horizontally, and has a second position with the first plate generally horizontal and the second plate extending alongside the second panel, the first repositionable shelf not being permanently fastened to the middle panel.
 2. The hanging collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the first edge engages the first panel at a location where the first panel joins the top panel, and wherein the second edge engages the second panel at a distance of about W from the top panel.
 3. The hanging collapsible container of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of permanent shelves in each of the first and second enclosures, each permanent shelf spaced a distance of about 2 W from the top or the adjacent permanent shelf, with the first repositionable shelf having its first edge engaging the first panel at a location where the first panel joins the top panel, and wherein the second edge engages the second panel at a distance of about W from the top panel.
 4. The hanging collapsible container of claim 3, further comprising a second repositionable shelf in each of the first and second enclosures, each second shelf having second and third rectangular plates joined at a second flexible plate juncture that is parallel to a first edge of the second plate and parallel to a second edge of the third plate, each second and third plate having a width of about W, the second edge of the third plate engaging the first panel and the second edge of the fourth plate engaging the second panel a distance below the first edge a distance sufficient so the second repositionable shelf has a first position in which the second plate extends alongside the first panel and the third plate extends generally horizontally, and has a second position with the second plate generally horizontal and the third plate extending alongside the second panel.
 5. The hanging collapsible container of claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of repositionable shelves each having a first edge fastened to the first panel a distance apart of about 2 W, and wherein each repositionable shelf has a second edge fastened to the second panel a distance apart of about 2 W, but offset below the first edge a distance of about W.
 6. The hanging collapsible container of claim 5, wherein there are four repositionable shelves and the width is between 4-6 inches. The hanging collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the top is formed of two stiff plates joined adjacent the middle panel, the container having a connector on an outer surface of the container above each enclosure each container
 7. A hanging collapsible container, comprising: a stiff rectangular top adapted to connect to a closet bar, the top having two sides, a front and a back; a flexible housing body having first and second side panel each connected to and depending from a different one of the sides of the top and a middle panel connected to about the middle of the top and connected to each of the two sides to form a first enclosure on one side of the middle panel and to form a second enclosure on the opposing side of the middle panel; the first and second enclosures each having a plurality of shelves generally parallel to the top and engaging the first and second side panels, the shelves having a width W and at least two of the shelves being spaced a distance of about 2 W apart; the first and second enclosures each having a repositionable rectangular shelf located between first and second adjacent shelves, the repositionable shelf having first and second plates joined at a juncture, each plate having a width W, the first plate having a first edge parallel to the juncture and engaged with the first panel where the first shelf engages the first panel, the second plate having a second edge parallel to the juncture and engaged with the second panel a distance of about W from a location where the first shelf engages the second side panel, the first and second plates movable between a first and second position, the first position having the first plate extending along the first side panel and the second plate parallel to the first shelf, the second position having the first plate aligned with the first shelf and the second plate extending along the second side panel.
 8. The hanging collapsible container of claim 7, wherein the shelves connected to the side panels have a stiffening plate in them.
 9. The hanging collapsible container of claim 7, wherein the first and second enclosures each further include a second repositionable rectangular shelf having second and third plates joined at a juncture, the second and third plates having a width W, the second plate having a first edge parallel to the juncture and engaged with the first panel, the fourth plate having a second edge parallel to the juncture and engaged with the second panel a distance of about W below a horizontal plane through the first edge of the third plate, the third and fourth plates movable between a first and second position, the first position having the third plate extending along the first side panel and the fourth plate parallel to the first shelf, the second position having the third plate parallel with the first shelf and the fourth plate extending along the second side panel.
 10. The hanging collapsible container of claim 7, further comprising a hook or loop fastener engaging the first plate along a length of its juncture and a mating loop or hook fastener connected to a lower side of the first shelf.
 11. The hanging collapsible container of claim 7, further comprising a hook or loop fastener engaging the second plate along a length of its juncture and a mating loop or hook fastener connected to the second side panel adjacent the connection of the first shelf and the second side panel. The hanging collapsible container of claim 9, further comprising a first hook or loop fastener engaging the fourth plate along a length of its juncture and a mating loop or hook fastener connected to the second side panel along a location selected to engage the first hook or loop fastener when the fourth plate abuts the second side panel. 